Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 433 Ninomiya's Resolve

"Um...ah...um...okay, I understand..." Shiraishi was momentarily stunned and didn't know what to say.

Indeed, Shiraishi had previously felt that Ninomiya was a bit too eccentric, and although his temperament wasn't "effeminate," he sometimes acted in a "effeminate" way—this guy even secretly spread rumors that "Shiraishi said that Prosecutor Kujo was the 'middle-aged' pillar of the Prosecutor's Office!"

Shiraishi had also wondered what kind of situation this guy would be in to spread such trivial gossip. Now it seems... you didn't say it to your "best friends," did you?
As for that Inspector Minato, in retrospect, he was a bit too clean, even wearing cologne. Even if inspectors aren't criminal investigators, just look at veteran inspectors like Hakuba and Munakata to see that it's definitely not a position that's conducive to maintaining a neat and tidy image...

Now everything makes sense!

"Inspector Shiraishi has agreed?" Ninomiya asked again, though he seemed a little exasperated.

After a brief silence, Shiraishi said, "An inspector is suspected of being silenced, and for some reason, the higher-ups are eager to close the case... I wouldn't have known if I didn't know, but now that I do, it's hard for me to turn a blind eye!"

Upon hearing this, Ninja breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Ninomiya had previously thought that Shiraishi would agree, which is why he came back to beg and even back down, he didn't dare to say "definitely" until Shiraishi agreed, since he and Shiraishi had always been at odds.

“Inspector Shiraishi…” Ninomiya looked at Shiraishi with great emotion.

I was touched, but also a little shy...

Upon seeing this, Shiraishi leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

Ninomiya continued, "Don't worry, I won't hide behind this case either. If... there are any problems with Superintendent Yan Tu, I can handle it for him!"

The location where this murder occurred was particularly unfavorable to Shiraishi.

Not only is it not in Beika Town, but it is also not in any police station where "Beika police officers" are dispatched, and even... it is in the jurisdiction of Beika Police Station!

Even if it's in an unrelated place, or even in the neighboring Kamurocho.

Shiraishi and Sawado had slammed their fists on the table more than once, but Beika Town was under the jurisdiction of the Beika Police Station, and the head of the Beika Police Station was also the head of the First Area Headquarters, who was theoretically Shiraishi's superior!

For Shiraishi, the pressure of carrying out some clandestine operation in Beika Town was undoubtedly immense...

If it were any unrelated place, the other party's head could cause trouble, and Shiraishi could even slam his fist on the table in protest. But he couldn't do that with Yan Tu Haici.

Yan Tu Haici is indeed unable to control Bai Shi now—a year ago, when Bai Shi had just taken office, Yan Tu Haici tried to "subdue" Bai Shi, but later it proved that Bai Shi was not someone he could control, and since then he has been playing the "smiling tiger" with Bai Shi...

However, this does not mean that Baishi can "reverse the Heavenly Gang".

If Shiraishi wanted to slam his fist on the table, he could do so against an unrelated superintendent, or even a superintendent or inspector with a higher rank than Yan Tu Haici. But to directly confront his superior was undoubtedly a direct challenge to the basic rules of the police force.

However, Ninomiya was unusually responsible this time, and specifically brought up the matter...

As a director of the Criminal Investigation Department of the General Headquarters, even though Ninomiya's rank is one level lower than Shiraishi's, it is indeed more legitimate for Ninomiya to "show his face" to Yan Tu Haici!
"Well... I'll leave the basic case information to Inspector Ninomiya. If you need manpower for interviews, or if you need to talk to any difficult people, just leave it to me." Shiraishi said, glancing directly at the briefcase in Ninomiya's hand. If Shiraishi wasn't mistaken...

"The basic information about the case is here, but I'm not sure if anything is missing. Inspector Amamiya will know more about it." Ninomiya clearly didn't have a very good relationship with Amamiya, that tomboy.

As he spoke, Ninomiya took out the documents from his briefcase—as expected, Ninomiya was already prepared.

"Inspector Ninomiya's preparations are really thorough," Shiraishi remarked.

Upon hearing this, Ninomiya remained silent with a stern face.

This was less a compliment to Ninomiya and more a boast by Shiraishi...

The relationship between Ninomiya and Minato determined that he could compromise and beg Shiraishi Kuro for this.

As for why we need to find Shiraishi Kuro?
With the decision already made above to close the case as a "double suicide," Ninomiya couldn't think of anyone else who would help him investigate the matter!

Ninomiya usually gets on Shiraishi's nerves and dislikes him because of his own interests, but when he wants to pursue fairness and justice, Shiraishi is the only person he can think of.

This is also a concrete manifestation of Bai Shi's current "reputation" - even "enemies" in a struggle for interests, when faced with a wrongful conviction and nowhere else to turn for help, will believe in Bai Shi's character and ability.

Imagine making your "enemy" have expectations of you, or even bring case files to your door and believe that he will help you. What level of "self-praise" is that?
Faced with Shiraishi's boasting, Ninomiya instinctively wanted to retort, but he couldn't say anything at all. After all, the fact that he was there already proved that Shiraishi's "boasting" was actually true.

Shiraishi didn't provoke him further. He simply picked up the documents, glanced at them, and said, "Alright, I'm sure Inspector Ninomiya has other things to do... At least in this case, I hope we can cooperate sincerely."

After a moment of silence, Ninomiya solemnly said, "Thank you!" and then turned and left.

……

From the moment Ninomiya revealed his purpose, Shiraishi knew that the new head of the First Investigation Division was already destined.

Although Shiraishi will definitely have to step in to make the case any hope, Ninomiya himself probably doesn't think that his request for Shiraishi's involvement will "not be exposed," especially since he later said he would "provide assistance"...

In this situation, regardless of the final investigation results, Ninomiya will certainly not be able to be promoted again.

If the investigation ultimately leads to a conclusion of "suicide pact" or "forced suicide pact," then Shiraishi and Ninomiya will both be in trouble. At the very least, Tanaka, the head of the General Affairs Department, and Horinouchi, the chief inspector, will definitely hate these two bastards. Although the inspectors are a separate system, they are theoretically subordinate to the Personnel Section of the General Affairs Department. If it really is a "forced suicide pact," the two of them will be the ones who lose face the most and bear the greatest leadership responsibility!

If it is eventually discovered that there is indeed another hidden story behind this, and that Minato was silenced, then Shiraishi would be the biggest contributor in name only. However, Ninomiya, who disobeyed orders, would still be sidelined, since he doesn't have Shiraishi's "invincible" status...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Dongdong: Two thousand words left, I'll post a short chapter first to ask for monthly votes. We're just a little short of a thousand, so don't forget to vote if you still have any!
(End of this chapter)